Human Rights

Pakistan – Training for semi-skilled youths

The purpose of this project was to provide demand-driven training for semi-skilled youths in villages situated in the Union Council of Nar Sher Ali Khan (Azad Kashmir/ Pakistan) and to build safer houses for widows and orphans.

The project lasted approximately 5 weeks during which a 23-day carpentry training course was conducted by a German professional. The training, arranged in the HOPE’87 Dhulli Camp, improved and perfected the carpentry and building skills of youths in earthquake-affected areas. Training covered basic carpentry rules, drawing methods, principles of structure and foundation building, reinforcing/strengthening already-built structures and learning how to build an earthquake resistant house from wood. The project adapted a ‘hands-on’ approach for the rapid teaching of trainees. During the course a small model house was erected, and the houses of two widows were rebuilt as part of the lessons.